ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive atmosphere – Six Sigma Quality International

ISO 80079-36:2016 is a standard that outlines requirements for the design, construction, testing, and certification of non-electrical equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres. Explosive atmospheres, often encountered in industries like oil and gas, chemicals, mining, and grain processing, present significant risks due to the potential for ignition from various sources. The standard provides a framework for ensuring the safety of equipment used in these hazardous environments.

Here’s an overview of ISO 80079-36:2016:

Scope and Purpose

The standard specifies the basic and specific requirements for non-electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres, addressing hazards arising from mechanical operations, friction, static electricity, and other sources that might cause ignition.
It covers a broad range of non-electrical equipment, including machinery, tools, conveyance systems, and components, ensuring they are designed to minimize the risk of igniting explosive atmospheres.

Key Requirements

Design Principles: Non-electrical equipment must be designed with inherent safety features to prevent sparks, hot surfaces, or other ignition sources. This involves careful material selection and construction techniques to reduce risks.
Ignition Risk Assessment: Manufacturers must conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential ignition sources in equipment. This assessment informs design and engineering decisions to mitigate identified risks.
Materials and Components: The standard specifies the use of materials that are less likely to create friction or static electricity, ensuring components are resistant to ignition risks.
Testing and Validation: Equipment must undergo testing to validate its safety in explosive atmospheres. This includes tests for heat generation, friction, and other mechanical risks that could lead to ignition.
Certification and Marking: Equipment that meets ISO 80079-36:2016 requirements is marked with appropriate certifications indicating its suitability for explosive atmospheres. This marking is crucial for compliance and safety assurance.

Compliance and Safety

Compliance with ISO 80079-36:2016 ensures that non-electrical equipment is designed and tested to prevent ignition in explosive atmospheres, reducing the risk of accidents, fires, or explosions.
Companies operating in hazardous environments must ensure their equipment complies with this standard to meet safety regulations and industry best practices.
Third-party certification bodies play a role in validating compliance with ISO 80079-36, providing an additional layer of assurance for manufacturers and end-users.

Industry Applications

ISO 80079-36:2016 is relevant to a range of industries where explosive atmospheres are a concern, including:

Oil and Gas: Equipment used in drilling, refining, and storage operations must comply with this standard to ensure safety.
Chemical Manufacturing: The use of flammable chemicals necessitates non-electrical equipment that meets stringent safety requirements.
Mining and Quarrying: In these environments, dust and gases can create explosive atmospheres, requiring safe equipment.
Food and Grain Processing: Dust from grain and food processing can be highly combustible, making compliance with ISO 80079-36 crucial.

Conclusion

ISO 80079-36:2016 plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of non-electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres. By providing a framework for design, testing, and certification, this standard helps reduce the risk of ignition, contributing to safer work environments in hazardous industries. Compliance with this standard is essential for manufacturers, operators, and regulatory bodies to ensure the safety and reliability of equipment used in explosive atmospheres.

What is required ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive atmosphere

ISO 80079-36:2016 is a standard that sets out general requirements for the design, construction, and testing of non-electrical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It aims to prevent ignition sources in hazardous environments by ensuring that non-electrical equipment is designed and tested to meet specific safety requirements. Here’s what is required to comply with ISO 80079-36:2016:

Design and Construction Requirements

Safety by Design: Equipment must be designed to inherently prevent or minimize the risk of ignition in explosive atmospheres. This involves considering factors like static electricity, friction, mechanical impacts, and surface temperature.
Materials Selection: The choice of materials should reduce risks associated with heat, sparks, or static discharge. The standard outlines specific materials and construction practices to ensure safety.
Assembly and Fastening: Equipment must be assembled to prevent unintentional disassembly or movement during operation, reducing the risk of sparks or friction that could lead to ignition.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Ignition Risk Assessment: Manufacturers must conduct a detailed risk assessment to identify potential ignition sources within the equipment. This assessment should cover all possible hazards, including static electricity, mechanical impacts, friction, and others.
Control Measures: Based on the risk assessment, manufacturers must implement control measures to mitigate identified risks, such as adding guards, using spark-resistant materials, and reducing surface temperatures.

Testing and Validation

Safety Testing: Equipment must undergo rigorous testing to validate its safety in potentially explosive atmospheres. This includes tests for mechanical stability, friction, hot surfaces, and other potential ignition sources.
Temperature Limits: The standard specifies temperature limits for equipment surfaces to prevent them from reaching temperatures that could ignite an explosive atmosphere.

Documentation and Instructions

Technical Documentation: Manufacturers must maintain detailed technical documentation demonstrating compliance with ISO 80079-36. This includes design specifications, test results, risk assessments, and safety measures implemented in the equipment.
User Manuals and Safety Instructions: Comprehensive user manuals and safety instructions must be provided with the equipment. This documentation should guide users on safe operation and maintenance.

Marking and Certification

Certification Requirements: Manufacturers must obtain certification from an accredited third-party body to confirm compliance with ISO 80079-36. This certification provides assurance that the equipment is safe for use in explosive atmospheres.
Equipment Markings: Certified equipment must be appropriately marked to indicate its suitability for use in hazardous environments. The marking must be clear, durable, and easily visible.

Compliance with Legal and Industry Regulations

Regulatory Compliance: In many jurisdictions, compliance with ISO 80079-36 is necessary to meet legal safety requirements for non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres. Manufacturers must ensure their equipment aligns with local regulations.
Industry Best Practices: Compliance with ISO 80079-36 is often considered a best practice in industries where explosive atmospheres are common, such as oil and gas, mining, and chemical manufacturing.

Maintenance and Operational Safety

Regular Maintenance and Inspection: Equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure it remains compliant with safety standards. This includes checking for wear, damage, and other issues that could increase ignition risk.
Training and Awareness: Operators and maintenance personnel should be trained in safe practices and the proper use of non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres. Awareness of potential hazards and safety measures is crucial to maintaining compliance with ISO 80079-36.

In summary, ISO 80079-36:2016 requires non-electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres to be designed, constructed, tested, and certified with safety in mind. Compliance involves risk assessments, rigorous testing, technical documentation, certification, and proper marking to ensure equipment is safe and meets regulatory requirements. The standard helps prevent ignition sources in hazardous environments, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting safety in industries where explosive atmospheres are a concern.

Who is required ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive atmosphere

ISO 80079-36:2016 is aimed at a range of stakeholders involved in the design, manufacture, certification, use, and maintenance of non-electrical equipment intended for potentially explosive atmospheres. Here’s who would be required to comply with this standard or find it relevant:

Manufacturers of Non-Electrical Equipment

Equipment Producers: Manufacturers of non-electrical equipment designed for use in hazardous or explosive atmospheres must comply with ISO 80079-36 to ensure their products are safe and meet safety requirements.
Component Suppliers: Suppliers providing parts and components for non-electrical equipment also need to ensure that their products meet the standard’s safety criteria.

Certification Bodies and Regulators

Certification Organizations: Accredited bodies that certify non-electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres use ISO 80079-36 to evaluate safety and issue compliance certifications.
Regulatory Authorities: Governments and regulatory agencies often reference ISO 80079-36 when setting safety standards for non-electrical equipment in hazardous environments. Compliance with this standard is frequently a prerequisite for legal authorization to operate in certain regions.

Operators of Hazardous Facilities

Oil and Gas Industry: Facilities involved in oil and gas exploration, production, refining, and distribution are prone to explosive atmospheres. These operators require equipment that complies with ISO 80079-36.
Chemical and Petrochemical Plants: Plants that handle flammable chemicals or gases need compliant non-electrical equipment to maintain safety.
Mining and Quarrying: Operations where dust and combustible gases can create explosive atmospheres require ISO 80079-36-compliant equipment for safe operations.
Grain Handling and Food Processing: Industries dealing with combustible dust, such as grain handling and food processing, also need to use equipment designed to prevent ignition in hazardous atmospheres.

Safety and Maintenance Personnel

Maintenance Teams: Personnel responsible for maintaining non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres must ensure compliance with ISO 80079-36, performing regular inspections, and applying appropriate maintenance practices.
Safety Inspectors: Inspectors responsible for ensuring facility safety use ISO 80079-36 to evaluate the compliance of non-electrical equipment and confirm that it meets safety standards.

Construction and Engineering Firms

Design Engineers: Engineers designing facilities or machinery for hazardous environments need to consider ISO 80079-36 to ensure that their designs comply with safety requirements.
Construction Companies: Firms involved in constructing facilities for industries like oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, and mining must ensure they use ISO 80079-36-compliant equipment to prevent safety hazards.

Insurance and Risk Management

Insurance Companies: Insurers providing coverage to facilities operating in hazardous environments may require compliance with ISO 80079-36 as a condition for coverage, reducing liability risks.
Risk Management Professionals: Those responsible for managing risk in facilities prone to explosive atmospheres use ISO 80079-36 as a guideline to identify and mitigate risks related to non-electrical equipment.

Conclusion

ISO 80079-36:2016 is required or relevant for a wide range of stakeholders involved in industries where explosive atmospheres are a concern. Compliance with this standard is crucial for manufacturers, facility operators, regulatory bodies, and safety professionals to ensure the safety and reliability of non-electrical equipment in hazardous environments. By adhering to ISO 80079-36, these stakeholders contribute to reducing the risk of ignition and promoting safety in various industries.

When is required ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive atmosphere

ISO 80079-36:2016 is required whenever there is a need to ensure the safety of non-electrical equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. This standard is applied in a range of scenarios, industries, and regions where the risk of explosion exists due to the presence of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dust. Below are some of the situations when ISO 80079-36:2016 is required:

Hazardous Environments

Industries with Explosive Atmospheres: In industries like oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, mining, and grain processing, where explosive atmospheres can occur, ISO 80079-36 is required to ensure safety.
Zones Classified as Hazardous: Any location classified under ATEX or similar standards as Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 20, Zone 21, or Zone 22 due to the potential presence of explosive gases or dust will require compliance with ISO 80079-36 for non-electrical equipment.

Design and Manufacturing

Manufacture of Non-Electrical Equipment for Hazardous Areas: If a company manufactures non-electrical equipment for use in hazardous environments, compliance with ISO 80079-36 is required to meet safety standards.
Development of New Equipment: When designing new non-electrical equipment intended for explosive atmospheres, compliance with ISO 80079-36 is necessary to ensure safety from the outset.

Regulatory Requirements

Compliance with Regulations: Many countries and regions require compliance with standards like ISO 80079-36 for equipment used in hazardous environments. Regulations such as ATEX in Europe and NEC in the United States often necessitate that non-electrical equipment meet these safety requirements.
Certification and Approval: To receive certification for use in hazardous environments, non-electrical equipment must comply with ISO 80079-36. This is typically required for obtaining approvals from regulatory bodies.

Facility Operations and Safety

Safe Operation in Explosive Atmospheres: Companies operating in environments with potential explosive risks must ensure their non-electrical equipment complies with ISO 80079-36 to maintain safety.
Routine Safety Inspections: During safety audits and inspections, compliance with ISO 80079-36 is required to verify that non-electrical equipment in hazardous areas meets safety standards.
Maintenance and Repair Work: When maintaining or repairing non-electrical equipment in hazardous environments, adherence to ISO 80079-36 is necessary to ensure safety during and after maintenance activities.

Industry-Specific Applications

Oil and Gas Industry: In this industry, where explosive atmospheres are common, ISO 80079-36 is required for equipment used in drilling, refining, transportation, and storage.
Chemical Manufacturing: This sector often involves flammable substances, necessitating the use of non-electrical equipment that complies with ISO 80079-36.
Mining and Quarrying: Given the risks from combustible dust and gases, mining operations need to ensure compliance with ISO 80079-36 for safety.
Grain Handling and Food Processing: These industries are prone to dust explosions, requiring equipment that meets ISO 80079-36 standards.

Conclusion

ISO 80079-36:2016 is required in any context where non-electrical equipment is used in potentially explosive atmospheres. This encompasses various industries, regulatory compliance scenarios, and safety practices. Adherence to this standard is crucial to ensure safety, prevent ignition, and maintain regulatory compliance in environments where flammable gases, vapors, or dust are present.

Where is required ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive atmosphere

ISO 80079-36:2016, which focuses on safety requirements for non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres, is required wherever there’s a risk of ignition due to flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dust. Here’s a detailed look at the types of locations and scenarios where this standard is applied:

Industries with Explosive Atmospheres

Oil and Gas: Locations like oil fields, refineries, gas processing plants, and pipelines where flammable gases and vapors are common require compliance with ISO 80079-36 for non-electrical equipment.
Chemical Manufacturing: In chemical plants where hazardous substances are processed or stored, adherence to this standard is essential to prevent accidents.
Petrochemical Plants: Operations involving the transformation of petroleum into chemicals often create explosive atmospheres, necessitating the use of compliant equipment.

Zones Classified as Hazardous

Hazardous Zones (ATEX): The standard is required in zones classified as hazardous based on the ATEX directive. This includes:
- Zone 0: Where explosive gas or vapor is present continuously or for long periods.
- Zone 1: Where explosive atmospheres are likely to occur in normal operation.
- Zone 2: Where explosive atmospheres are unlikely but may occur infrequently.
- Zone 20, 21, 22: Similar classifications for dust-based explosive atmospheres, with Zone 20 being the most hazardous.
NEC Hazardous Locations: In the United States, compliance is required in areas classified by the National Electrical Code (NEC), such as Class I (flammable gases or vapors), Class II (combustible dust), and Class III (ignitable fibers).

Specific Industrial Applications

Mining and Quarrying: Mines and quarries where combustible gases and dust are generated need equipment that complies with ISO 80079-36 to ensure safety.
Grain Handling and Food Processing: Grain elevators, silos, and food processing plants, where dust can create explosive atmospheres, must use compliant non-electrical equipment.
Paint and Coating Facilities: Locations where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flammable chemicals are used in paints and coatings require equipment that meets ISO 80079-36.
Textile and Paper Mills: The use of fibers and dust in these industries can create explosive atmospheres, necessitating compliant equipment.

Facility Safety and Compliance

Industrial Plants: Any plant or factory where explosive atmospheres might occur due to processes involving flammable materials must ensure its non-electrical equipment complies with ISO 80079-36.
Transportation and Storage Facilities: Locations where hazardous substances are transported or stored, such as tank farms, loading docks, and storage warehouses, require compliant equipment to ensure safety.
Offshore Platforms: Offshore oil rigs and platforms face high risks of explosive atmospheres, requiring non-electrical equipment to comply with ISO 80079-36.

Regulatory Compliance and Certification

National and Regional Regulations: Compliance with ISO 80079-36 is required in many regions to meet local safety regulations for hazardous environments. For example, in Europe, ATEX directives demand that equipment used in explosive atmospheres meet these safety standards.
Certification Bodies: Companies seeking certification for non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres must comply with ISO 80079-36 to obtain the necessary approvals.

Conclusion

ISO 80079-36:2016 is required in a wide range of locations and industries where explosive atmospheres are a risk. This standard helps ensure the safety of non-electrical equipment in hazardous environments, reducing the risk of ignition and promoting safe operations. Compliance with this standard is crucial for manufacturers, facility operators, regulatory bodies, and safety professionals to maintain safety and meet regulatory requirements.

How is required ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive atmosphere

ISO 80079-36:2016 specifies the requirements for non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres to ensure safety and reduce the risk of ignition. Compliance with this standard involves a series of steps, processes, and measures to ensure that equipment used in hazardous environments does not pose a risk. Here’s how compliance with ISO 80079-36:2016 is achieved:

Design and Engineering

Safety by Design: Equipment must be designed to avoid ignition risks in explosive atmospheres. This involves careful consideration of potential sources of sparks, heat, friction, static electricity, and mechanical impacts.
Materials Selection: The choice of materials is critical to reduce the risk of ignition. ISO 80079-36 specifies materials and methods that minimize static buildup, sparks, and excessive heat.
Construction Techniques: The standard outlines construction practices to ensure safety, including secure fastening, reinforcement to prevent breakage, and protection against mechanical hazards.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Identify Potential Ignition Sources: Manufacturers must identify all potential ignition sources in the equipment, such as moving parts, hot surfaces, static discharge, or mechanical impacts.
Conduct Risk Assessments: A comprehensive risk assessment helps identify possible ignition risks and informs design and engineering decisions to mitigate those risks.
Implement Control Measures: Based on the risk assessment, control measures such as safety guards, static dissipation, and temperature control must be implemented to ensure compliance with ISO 80079-36.

Testing and Validation

Conduct Safety Testing: Equipment must undergo rigorous safety testing to ensure it meets the requirements of ISO 80079-36. This includes tests for mechanical stability, temperature limits, friction, static electricity, and other factors that could cause ignition.
Validate Design and Construction: The testing phase validates the design and construction choices to ensure that the equipment operates safely in explosive atmospheres.

Certification and Compliance

Obtain Third-Party Certification: Compliance with ISO 80079-36 often requires certification from an accredited third-party organization. This certification process includes testing, documentation review, and on-site inspections to confirm that the equipment meets safety standards.
Marking and Labeling: Once certified, equipment must be clearly marked with appropriate labels indicating its compliance with ISO 80079-36. These labels provide end-users with information on the equipment’s safety and suitability for hazardous environments.
Meet Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with ISO 80079-36 helps meet regulatory requirements in many jurisdictions, such as ATEX in Europe and NEC in the United States.

Documentation and User Instructions

Technical Documentation: Manufacturers must maintain detailed technical documentation to support compliance with ISO 80079-36. This documentation includes design details, test results, risk assessments, and evidence of safety measures implemented.
Provide User Instructions: Comprehensive user manuals and safety instructions must accompany the equipment. These manuals should guide users on safe operation, maintenance, and handling in explosive atmospheres.

Maintenance and Safety Practices

Regular Maintenance and Inspection: Equipment used in hazardous environments must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure it remains compliant with ISO 80079-36. This includes checking for wear, damage, and other issues that could increase ignition risk.
Train Personnel: Operators and maintenance personnel must be trained in safe practices and proper use of non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres. This training helps maintain compliance and reduces the risk of accidents.

Industry and Sector-Specific Applications

Apply to Relevant Industries: Compliance with ISO 80079-36 is required across various industries, including oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, mining, and food processing. The specific application of the standard may vary based on industry-specific risks.
Adapt to Site Conditions: Different sites may have unique requirements due to specific explosive risks. Compliance with ISO 80079-36 requires adapting safety practices to these site-specific conditions.

Conclusion

Compliance with ISO 80079-36:2016 involves a comprehensive approach to safety in non-electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres. From design and risk assessment to certification and maintenance, each step is critical to ensuring that equipment operates safely without creating ignition risks. By following these guidelines, manufacturers, facility operators, and safety professionals can achieve compliance with ISO 80079-36 and contribute to a safer environment in hazardous industries.

Case Study on ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive atmosphere

A case study on ISO 80079-36:2016 for explosive atmospheres can illustrate the application of this standard in a real-world context, focusing on the processes, challenges, and outcomes of ensuring compliance with safety requirements for non-electrical equipment. Below is a hypothetical case study that outlines the journey of an oil and gas company implementing ISO 80079-36 to improve safety in its operations.

Case Study: Implementing ISO 80079-36:2016 in an Oil and Gas Facility

Background

ABC Oil & Gas is a company operating several offshore platforms for oil drilling and production. Given the inherent risks of explosive atmospheres due to the presence of flammable gases and vapors, the company decided to ensure compliance with ISO 80079-36:2016 for all non-electrical equipment used on its platforms.

Problem Statement

The company faced several safety challenges due to outdated equipment and practices that did not fully comply with modern safety standards. Risks were identified in the following areas:

Non-electrical equipment generating sparks or static electricity.
Machinery with high surface temperatures, posing a risk of ignition.
Inconsistent safety practices and documentation across different platforms.

Objectives

ABC Oil & Gas aimed to:

Ensure all non-electrical equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres complied with ISO 80079-36:2016.
Establish consistent safety practices across all offshore platforms.
Obtain third-party certification to demonstrate compliance with safety standards.

Implementation Process

The company took the following steps to achieve its objectives:

Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification:
- A comprehensive risk assessment was conducted to identify potential ignition sources in existing equipment.
- Key hazards were identified, including sparks from metal-on-metal contact, high surface temperatures, and static electricity from conveyor belts.
Equipment Design and Modification:
- Non-compliant equipment was redesigned or modified to meet ISO 80079-36 requirements.
- Materials were changed to reduce friction and static build-up.
- Safety features were added to mitigate potential ignition sources.
Testing and Validation:
- The modified equipment underwent rigorous testing to validate compliance with ISO 80079-36.
- Tests included checks for mechanical stability, temperature limits, and static dissipation.
Certification and Documentation:
- ABC Oil & Gas engaged an accredited certification body to certify the equipment’s compliance with ISO 80079-36.
- Detailed documentation was created, including technical specifications, test results, and safety assessments.
Training and Safety Practices:
- The company provided comprehensive training to its maintenance and operations teams on ISO 80079-36 requirements.
- New safety practices were implemented, including regular inspections and preventive maintenance.
Certification and Compliance:
- After successful certification, all non-electrical equipment was marked with appropriate ISO 80079-36 labels.
- The company maintained certification by adhering to regular inspection and re-certification processes.

Outcomes and Benefits

Improved Safety: Compliance with ISO 80079-36 reduced the risk of ignition on offshore platforms, leading to a safer work environment.
Regulatory Compliance: ABC Oil & Gas met all regulatory requirements for non-electrical equipment in hazardous locations, reducing the risk of legal penalties.
Enhanced Reputation: The certification and commitment to safety improved the company’s reputation among stakeholders, including clients, investors, and regulatory authorities.
Consistent Safety Practices: The implementation of standard safety practices and training improved operational consistency across all platforms.

Conclusion

The case study of ABC Oil & Gas demonstrates how implementing ISO 80079-36:2016 can significantly enhance safety in environments with explosive atmospheres. By addressing potential ignition sources and achieving certification, the company was able to create a safer work environment, comply with regulations, and improve its overall reputation in the industry. The steps taken in this case study can serve as a model for other companies seeking to ensure safety in hazardous locations.

White paper on ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive atmosphere

White Paper on ISO 80079-36:2016 for Non-Electrical Equipment in Explosive Atmospheres

Executive Summary

ISO 80079-36:2016 is a globally recognized standard that provides safety requirements for the design and construction of non-electrical equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres. It plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of industries where the presence of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dust could lead to dangerous explosions. This white paper explores the key aspects of ISO 80079-36, its relevance, application across various industries, and the benefits of compliance for safety and regulatory conformity.

Introduction to ISO 80079-36

Explosive atmospheres are a significant risk in many industrial environments, such as oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, and food production. Non-electrical equipment in these settings can generate ignition sources through static electricity, mechanical friction, or heat, leading to catastrophic consequences. ISO 80079-36:2016 addresses these risks by setting out general safety requirements and test methods to minimize the chance of ignition in potentially explosive environments.

Scope of ISO 80079-36

The standard applies to non-electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres, including mechanical devices, machinery, and other components that could be a source of ignition. It covers a broad range of industries and is intended for use in environments classified as hazardous due to the potential presence of explosive gases, vapors, or dust.

Key Requirements of ISO 80079-36

ISO 80079-36 outlines a series of requirements for manufacturers and users of non-electrical equipment in hazardous areas:

Design and Construction: Equipment must be designed to avoid creating ignition sources. This includes considerations like avoiding static electricity, reducing friction, and controlling surface temperatures.
Materials Selection: Specific materials are recommended to minimize the risk of sparks, static buildup, and excessive heat.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification: Manufacturers must conduct detailed risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential ignition sources in the equipment.
Testing and Validation: Equipment must undergo rigorous testing to ensure it meets safety requirements, including tests for mechanical stability, friction, and surface temperature.
Certification and Marking: Third-party certification is often required to confirm compliance with ISO 80079-36. Certified equipment must be clearly marked to indicate its suitability for use in explosive atmospheres.
Documentation and User Instructions: Manufacturers must provide comprehensive documentation, including technical specifications, test results, and user instructions for safe operation and maintenance.

Industries and Applications

ISO 80079-36 is relevant to a variety of industries where explosive atmospheres are a concern:

Oil and Gas: Offshore platforms, refineries, and gas processing plants require compliant equipment to ensure safety.
Chemical Manufacturing: Facilities handling hazardous chemicals need equipment that meets ISO 80079-36 standards.
Mining and Quarrying: Mining operations where combustible gases and dust are present must use compliant non-electrical equipment.
Grain Handling and Food Processing: Environments with a risk of dust explosions require equipment designed to meet safety standards.

Benefits of Compliance

Complying with ISO 80079-36 provides several key benefits:

Improved Safety: The primary benefit is the reduction of ignition risk in hazardous environments, leading to safer operations.
Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with this standard helps companies meet legal and regulatory requirements for operating in explosive atmospheres.
Reduced Liability: By minimizing the risk of accidents, companies reduce their liability exposure and the potential for costly legal disputes.
Enhanced Reputation: Compliance with recognized safety standards can improve a company’s reputation among clients, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities.

Challenges and Considerations

While compliance with ISO 80079-36 is crucial for safety, it presents certain challenges:

Cost of Compliance: Achieving compliance can involve significant costs related to equipment design, testing, certification, and documentation.
Complexity of Implementation: The process of implementing ISO 80079-36 involves extensive risk assessments, design modifications, and safety testing.
Training and Awareness: Operators and maintenance personnel must be trained on safety practices to maintain compliance with ISO 80079-36.

Conclusion

ISO 80079-36:2016 is a critical standard for ensuring safety in environments where explosive atmospheres pose a risk. Compliance with this standard helps reduce the risk of ignition, promote safer operations, and meet regulatory requirements. By adhering to ISO 80079-36, manufacturers and users of non-electrical equipment can create a safer work environment, reduce liability, and enhance their reputation in the industry.

This white paper provides an overview of ISO 80079-36 and its significance in ensuring safety in hazardous environments. For more detailed information on implementing this standard or seeking certification, industry professionals should refer to the complete ISO 80079-36 documentation and consult with accredited certification bodies.